…but change is certain.

Make a joyful noise

Tuesday night our community band kicked off the holiday season by making a joyful noise.

Last minute instructions before the show begins.

This year we did it with help from talented high school students who sang like angels. There’s something special about young voices raised in song above the music of a band. They brought a remarkable level of joy to the show, raised the bar, and made band members smile.

A little help from our elf.

I think our audience was smiling too, especially when all the little kids came up to ring bells in an invitation for Santa to arrive.

Santa, of course, makes everyone smile, and we enjoyed playing the classic Christmas Festival by Leroy Anderson under his baton.

Here we go!

It was even more special this year as the choir sang the carols and the audience joined in. I actually stopped playing somewhere in the middle, just to listen, because I was so enthralled by the glorious sound.

If you ever need reassurance that there is promise in this world, attend a musical event that includes students. These young people are so talented, so sincere, and their joy of music is infectious.

Elves sorting out elf duties prior to the concert.

Check out your local community and I bet you’ll find a Christmas concert near you. Support the arts in your town and hear some beautiful music. You’ll smile, the artists will smile and everyone’s heart will be warmed. And there’s nothing better than a warm heart on a cold winter evening.

Thanks to all of you that came out to our concert. It was magical, and we are so appreciative of your applause, whistles, cheers and of course for the standing ovation at the end.

It was our holiday gift to you, but we feel like we received something special too.

Santa takes a break in his busy schedule.

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I'm a long time banker having worked in banks since the age of 17. I took a break when I turned 50 and went back to school. I graduated right when the economy took a turn for the worst and after a year of library work found myself unemployed. I was lucky that my previous bank employer wanted me back. So here I am again, a long time banker. Change is hard.

Your Santa looks wonderful! We have a couple of concerts in town but they sell out so quickly! People are onto something! I am glad you had such a great turnout. And you stopped playing to listen…wow. That really tells me how great this was. Awesome, Dawn.

Our symphonic band concert is tonight (if only it will stop snowing!!). We’re only playing one Christmas song (something really cheesy), but it’s not billed as a Christmas concert. I think all of us enjoy making music together so much that we’d gladly do two concerts, if we could play that Christmas Festival! Glad yours went off swimmingly!

Wish I could be there! Maybe someday I can make it down there for one of your concerts. We didn’t do all Christmas either, but it was mostly Christmas music…We did one piece of African music that was pretty amazing. I’m waiting for them to send out the links, maybe I’ll be able to send that to you. We did it because a close friend of our director was injured in a car crash in Africa while doing missionary work. She’s home now and has had multiple surgeries. We’re sending her that piece as a gift and to tell her we’re thinking about her. We also did it because we had the choir with us and that piece also uses voice.

We DID, and it went so well … better than I imagined! The auditorium wasn’t full — it’s quite huge, and the weather was bitterly cold — but those who listened seemed pleased. And so did our directors! Now, I can hardly wait for summer band to start, ha!

Oh that’s a great idea! I played flute in high school and college, friends of mine were mostly music folks. How great we felt when the adults came to our concerts, and I swear we played better. Ok … my friends and I who always attend at least one local Christmas concert have agreed that this year, and from now on, it will be one with only kids or mostly kids. Music is so important and so wonderful. Thanks Dawn.

I believe we definitely played better when we’re in front of our family and friends. Yes…for sure go find a Christmas concert done by kids…you’ll LOVE their talent! And maybe find a community band for you to play in too….you’d love that as well.